Beth

1.) National Geographic Student Atlas of the World; Nonfiction
Author: National Geographic
Having a world atlas is a crucial element in completing a geography unit. Students can use it during scavenger hunts, which would be a fun addition to a geography unit. In addition, teachers can use it to provide the class with interesting information about different countries or parts of the world.

2.) Travels with Charlie: Way Down South: Fiction
Author: Miles Backer
Travels with Charlie: Way Down South by Miles Backer is a search and find geography books for young students starting a lesson on geography. This book would be great to jump-start a lesson on geography. It focuses on the southern part of the United States in a fun way.

3.) Maps and Globes; Fiction
Author: Jack Knowlton
Maps and Globes by Jack Knowlton is a great tool for integrating literacy and a geography unit. It allows for basic knowledge on how to read a map, the different kinds of maps, and some information on mapmaking. I really like the idea of beginning a unit with a book on the topic and this book would be great for that purpose.

4.) Me on the Map; Fiction
Author: Joan Sweeney
Using the book Me on the Map by Joan Sweeney is another great way to begin a geography unit. It can be used to help students realize the value of learning geography. If this book is not used to begin a lesson on geography it would be a great addition to a classroom library because it helps put into perspective everyone’s place, geographically and more figuratively, in the world.

5.) There's a Map on My Lap; fiction
Author: Tish Rabe
This book, There's a Map on My Lap by Tish Rabe, is a great addition to a geography unit. It uses a widely recognized fictional character to teach students about the different kinds of maps, how we read them, and why they’re important. It’s also fun and engaging for young geographers.



Christa

1.) The Amazing Pop-up Geography Book
Author: Kate Petty and Jennie Maizels
This book is a pop up book that had facts about different aspects of geography. It is very fun for students to look at and it is an interesting way for students to learn facts about geography.

2.) World Geography
This book has facts about the geography of different countries around the world. It also explains desserts, rain forests, mountains and so on. It is a great book for students to learn about what different countries terrain is like.

3.) Riddle City, USA!
Author: Marco and Giulio Maestro
This book contains different riddles that have to do with the different states in the United States. It provides students with a fun way to remember different cities and different landmarks across the country.

4.) Cool Geography
Author: Jane Glicksman
This book has information from around the world and has maps, activities and facts from different countries. Students can pick a continent they are interested in and research what they land is like there and what kind of animals live there.

5.) Geography from A to Z
Author: Jack Knowlton
This book has geographic terms along with a picture and a description. It is very student friendly. Students can see the word, read what it is and also see a picture.


Cooper

1. )Top Secret Adventures Guide to Great Britain
Author: Brian Williams and Malcolm Smythe
This book is meant to be used with an educational magazine with activities. It talks mostly about England, but also mentions Whales and Northern Ireland.

2.) Top Secret Adventures Guide to Japan
Author:Michael March
The book begins with general information. After it introduces Japan, it talks about historic Tokyo. Then it talks about some of the demographic and geographic areas of Japan. The book is very short and direct. It is perfect for projects.

3.) Top Secret Adventures Guide to Argentina
Author: David Marshal
This book discusses the beautiful land of Argentina. It is a very traditional land, and the book could be used as an opener to a unit on agriculture.

4.) Top Secret Adventures Guide to Italy
Author: Brian Williams
This book is about Italy. It talks about the history of the land and how they celebrate some holidays celebrated in America. It could be used to help students appreciate diversity in the classroom.
5.) Top Secret Adventures Guide to Egypt
Author: Michael March
The book presents information in a way that kids want to read it. It has a lot about the pyramids. These books are good for ESOL students because, like their classmates, they are learning about foreign cultures.


Nikki

1.) National Geographic Kids Almanac 2012
Author: National Geographic
This magazine is printed annually in order to ensure the most up to date information on what is happening in our world. It is exciting and colorful as it provides facts about animals, inventions, nature, weather, maps, and a multitude of other things all around the world. This would be a fun way to get the students interested in the topic at hand, such as learning the different continents. It will give them some background information about the area and give them a personal connection to what they are learning.

2.) Follow That Map!
Author: Scot Ritchie
This is an interactive book that introduces children to the key concepts of mapping. The book is fun for students because as they learn they also have the opportunity of using what they learn in order to help them find Max and Ollie (the cat and dog that hide in the illustrations). This would be a great book for first presenting maps to the students.

3.) Florida “Jography”
Author: Carole Marsh
The book provides information about Florida and is written in the way that a kid would see things. The information is more than just the geography, it also goes over cultures, art, science, history, politics, and economics. The book also has many fun worksheets that students can complete to test their knowledge, such as mazes, word searches, and matching.

4.) Kids’ World Atlas: A Young Person’s Guide to the Globe
Author: Karen Foster
This book is entertaining for students while it provides information about the different continents. The book focuses on the three types of maps that students need to learn, political, physical, and thematic, and that help them to identify elements of a map. While learning about both maps and countries, the students gain interesting knowledge about land, weather, animals, plants, flags, and languages.

5.) The Seven Continents
Author: Wil Mara
The book introduces children to the seven continents. It has a lot of bright real life photos that children can link with what they are learning. The seven continents are presented to students and provide basic geographic facts as well as the plants, animals, and people that reside there.


Staci

1.) "Carl the Complainer"
Author: Michelle Knudsen
This book is about a young boy who complains about everything. During the story Carl learns that instead of complaining about the park closing time, him and his friends decide to talk to the city council. The book is a nice story that can be used to introduce the government to younger students.

2.) "Which Way is the Revolution: A Book About Maps"
Author: Bob Barner
This book is a great way to introduce the students to Paul Revere and the American Revolution. The book describes and maps out the route that Paul Revere took to warn of the British. This book is also a great way to help students understand mapping skills.

3.) Magic Treehouse # 47: Abe Lincoln at Last!
Author: Mary Pope Osborne
This book is about Jack and Annie who travel back in time and try to meet Abraham Lincoln. They conquer different tasks along the way and this book will help students learn about the president.

4.) "The Camping Trip that Changed America"
Author: Barb Rosenstock
This book is about how Theodore Roosevelt and John Muir take a camping trip to Yosemite. They venture through the woods and discuss nature, which leads to the development of national parks. This is a great story for students to learn about the how National Parks were created in America.

5.) "The President's Stuck in the Bathtub:Poems About the Presidents"
Author: Susan Katz
This book has many poems that discuss the presidents lives. The poems allow students to learn about the presidents in a fun and creative way. The poetry also allows the students to learn about poetry and how it can be educational.